Tag: Valizan

GUELPH, ON, NOVEMBER 2, 2018: On November 10th, 2018 at 8 p.m., Guelph’s celebrated bellydance troupe Ishra & Invoketress Dance will be presenting their 12th Mosaic Bellydance Fusion Show at the River Run Centre’s Co-operators Hall. This unique production, presented biennially, is a tribute to the ancient Middle Eastern art form of Bellydance, as well as an exploration of the artistry created when Bellydance is combined with other dance traditions.

Bellydance takes many different forms depending on the country and region of origin, and is often performed at celebrations and social gatherings. Ishra & Invoketress Dance strive to respect, learn, and perform traditional styles of Bellydance as well as pushing the envelope by innovating choreographies that fuse Bellydance with other dance genres.

This show, with the theme of “Divination”, will present pieces that merge Middle Eastern movement with tribal fusion, American Tribal Style, Tahtib, urban, folkloric, and contemporary dance styles while exploring the themes of astrology, tarot, and the mystical arts. Invoketress dancers will perform new and innovative pieces inspired by the symbolism and traits of the divine identities of the group. The line-up of special guest performers includes some of the best innovators in the Bellydance and fusion community, including Anuka Bellydance, Valizan, Shades of Araby, Raqs Mahasti, Wild Orchid, Tribe Mayafire, and live music from some of the best of Guelph’s arts scene: Adrian Raso with Kris Raso and Lorie Bortolon.

Come see for yourself on November 10th and enjoy a feast for your eyes and ears. Prepare to be mesmerized! The show is almost sold out; remaining tickets are available through the River Run box office. Limited complimentary tickets available for media. Please contact Ishra by November 4th to have tickets reserved: ishrablanco@yahoo.ca | 519-362-2036.

Being featured instructors and performers at all 3 events for Flying Dance Festival held by our friend Nico with Flying Dance Company. 3 dates and 3 different locations offering a variety of workshops and performances in a multitude of dance styles. Ishra and Mary taught workshops in traditional Bellydance and Ishra also taught Flamenco.

Performing at our troupe dancer Nicole’s wedding on July 3rd. It was a perfect summer’s day. Nicole and Brent wed at a small civil ceremony at city hall and then invited their family and friends back to their new home for a reception. It was a joyous occasion with a delicious potluck spread, live music, and of course, performances by Invoketress. We even surprised the bride with individual solos where each dancer chose a piece of music specifically for the bride, then pulled her up to dance with us which then started the dance party. We love performing at weddings, and it was even more special that it was for one of our own.

Introducing InvokeTribe! This project was announced with a performance at the Belly Blush Student Recital and Mary started her first regular session of Improvisational Tribal Style Bellydance classes in September. Classes are going strong and we are excited about the growth of this new tribe within the Invoketress umbrella!

The final culmination and production of the Guelph Whole Shebang. Ishra was one of two dance artists chosen to be a part of this first ever artists’ residency at the River Run Centre. September 26th saw the final production of 3 years worth of artistic collaboration.

Being invited to perform at the Shades of Araby 10th Anniversary Show in November. We have been good friends with Valizan and Shades over the years, inviting them as regular guest performers at our Bellydance fusion shows and even at this year’s Belly Blush. This was a doubly special occasion as it is one of the very rare times the ENTIRE Invoketress troupe performed at once (this usually only happens once a year at the Belly Blush). We were thrilled and honoured to be part of their stellar line-up and to celebrate their milestone!

Ishra obtaining her Kelani Dance instructor certification in November! Ishra can now teach this Polynesian-inspired dance form certified under Canfit Pro.

Ishra going to Sri Lanka for some much needed and deserved R&R and of course, some additional dance training and inspiration!

In typical fashion, Mary and Ishra will be closing off the year and ringing in the new while performing at a New Year’s Eve party!

We want to thank everyone who we have been a part of our dance journey: students, teachers, dance colleagues, audience members, supporters, and appreciators. It is more than a hobby for us, but rather a sisterhood bound deeply for our love for this art form with this dance ingrained in our daily lives. Wishing everyone an artistic, creative, and fruitful year in 2016!

Yours in dance.

The whole Invoketress troupe at Shades of Araby 10th Anniversary show.The white swan and her flock: Nicole and Brent’s wedding.Morveno and the Mermaids Three, another Invoketress project, performed daily at the Pirate Festival.

Invoketress captivates live with Eccodek at the Guelph Jazz Festival.Invoketress (minus Minerva and Natalie) at Nicole and Brent’s wedding.Mary’s new ITS classes launched in September.Ishra performs at Caribbean Dreams.Nicole, Siyobin, Mary, and Diana at the United Way 75th Anniversary Gala.Siyobin, Ishra, and Mary at Flying Dance Festival – Royal City Park, Guelph.Ishra and her signature notebook in Sri Lanka. Undoubtedly jotting down big plans for 2016!

Springtime is always a busy time for bellydance. Not only are the girls being hired for more and more gigs, we’re also gearing up for our annual Belly Blush Student Recital! This year, Invoketress is working on a brand spanking new fun and cheeky tambourine piece as well as pulling out our exciting Tunisian piece that was unveiled at November’s MOSAIC show. There will also be new duets and smaller Invoketress group pieces choreographed by the ladies themselves. Such a talented bunch!

Despite being busy, the girls aren’t resting on their laurels. Always eager to learn more from the wealth of talent in the bellydance community and to broaden our horizons, we recently had Valizan come to teach the troupe some ATS basics. It was an awesome time – if you’ve never taken a class with Valizan, it is a must. Natalie took a workshop with Yasmina Ramzy, Mary took a workshop with Audra from The Dark Side Studio and Ishra took one with Cassandra Shore.

ATS workshop with Valizan!

This Saturday, May 11, you can catch Invoketress at a Bracelets of Hope fundraiser in St. George’s Square, downtown Guelph. That same day, Ishra is also one of the guest instructors at Flying Dance’s Company’s Women’s Dance Retreat.

As always, please check out our Performances section for all of our upcoming events!